A four-legged wooden or metal bookstand, on which the lectionary (the book for the Scriptural readings in the liturgy of the Eucharist) and other liturgical books are placed for reading. It is often in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings. The lower part is customarily used as a storage container for books and musical instruments employed in the services, such as cymbals and triangles.

There are two lecterns in every Coptic church.

Most oftenly it is decorated with ivory designs of the cross and on it verses of the holy Bible is written down.